Central Line & Port Access

[1EMT-P]

How many of you are allowed to access patient's central lines & ports in the field? I was talking with some friends of mine and they told me that they are not allowed to access patient's central lines and/or ports in the field.

[fishman]

we can.... with MD consult and great need

[EMS49393]

We can as well. Strange how I can't have morphine without consult for chest pain but I can access a central line or infusion port if I have to. I'll probably never understand these protocols.

As far as accessing those devices, I really hate to do it. Ambulances are gross, and regardless of how sterile I hope I can make the field, it will never be anything more than really aseptic. Some of our ER nurses feel the exact same way about the ER environment. Not to say I haven't done it and wouldn't do it again if my patient really needed a medication or fluid. I just spend an extra ten seconds making sure the benefits of access outweigh the risks.

[Ridryder 911]

We access them as well. Be sure you have the proper equipment (Huber needle, waste residual)and do take the time to be a sterile as possible.

R/r 911

[JakeEMTP]

We are also aloud to access central lines and ports, although I haven't as yet had to do this ( I am however, required to show proficiency in this skill every 6 months). I agree that the back of an ambulance is the most sterile of environments. Just remember to perform the procedure correctly and be as sterile as possible.